Motherwell manager Stuart McCall was satisfied with, if not overly enthused by, his team's work after they beat Stranraer 2-0 to move into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.
Steve Jones and John Sutton netted from close range towards the end of each half at Stair Park to steer Motherwell beyond spirited opponents.
McCall said: "We knew it was going to be a tricky tie, I said before the game the most important thing was getting through. We would have liked to have played better and made it easier for ourselves but all credit to Stranraer, they stuck at it and made it difficult for us at times."
He added: "Getting the first goal was the key, if we had gone behind it could have been a very difficult day.
"The bottom line is we're through to the next round and that's what we came to do. We have played better in the last two games and got nothing.
"The main thing is we are in the draw. The down side is (Keith) Lasley looked as if he might have cracked a couple of ribs, they are certainly badly bruised, and Steven Saunders has done his hamstring."
Motherwell are believed to have secured the signature of former Arsenal and Everton forward Francis Jeffers, who will be unveiled when international clearance comes through following his recent spell in Australia.
"We would be hopeful to tie that up," McCall said.
Meanwhile, Stranraer boss Keith Knox praised his part-time players for pushing Motherwell. Knox was disappointed his side conceded the opener after impressing in the first half.
Knox said: "The effort and fitness of the players was excellent. They kept playing and trying to do the right things. They get on the ball and pass it. The attitude was tremendous and didn't let themselves down. The performance was excellent."
Source: PA
